Lionel Messi loses Inter Miami teammate for key MLS matches due to Argentina call-up

Just six games separate Inter Miami from the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer regular season. Over the next month, Lionel Messi’s team will play those matches with hopes of locking in a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. However, they’ll be without a player who has been called up to represent Argentina.

Mateo Silvetti is one of 21 players selected to compete in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile. The young forward will travel to South America to join Argentina’s training camp, leaving head coach Javier Mascherano with one less attacking option.

So far, Inter Miami have only been able to use Silvetti once. He made his debut in the pink shirt this past Tuesday, coming on as a substitute for Tadeo Allende to play the final 9 minutes of the 3–1 win over Seattle Sounders at Chase Stadium.

The 19-year-old forward had only recently arrived in the United States after completing his transfer from Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. According to reports, the Herons paid $4.5 million for him, with another $2 million potentially added in bonuses based on performance targets.

The U-20 World Cup will be held from September 27 to October 19 across four cities in Chile. Argentina is one of five South American nations in the tournament and will compete in Group D alongside Italy, Australia, and Cuba.

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Silvetti and his teammates will open the tournament on Sunday, September 28, against Cuba. Three days later, they’ll face Australia, and on Saturday, October 4, they’ll wrap up the group stage against Italy. All three matches will be played in Valparaiso.